Overview of month 9
Month 9 covers roughly weeks 36 to 40 — and often beyond. A pregnancy becomes early term at 37 weeks and full term at 39 weeks, and the estimated due date falls at 40 weeks. Because babies arrive across several weeks, month 9 can be shorter or longer than a calendar month.
Weeks in pregnancy month 9
| Week | What typically happens |
|---|---|
| 36 weeks | Visits are often weekly from now; group B strep screening is common. |
| 37 weeks | Early term begins at 37 weeks. |
| 38 weeks | Most organs are ready for life outside the womb. |
| 39 weeks | Full term begins at 39 weeks. |
| 40 weeks | The estimated due date — only a small share of babies arrive on it. |
Your baby in month 9
The baby continues to gain weight, sheds most of the lanugo and is ready for life outside the womb. Average birth weight is around 3.4 kg, with a wide healthy range.
Your body in month 9
The baby may drop lower into the pelvis. Pelvic pressure, frequent urination, Braxton Hicks contractions and impatience are all very common.
Care during month 9
Visits are often weekly. Group B strep screening is common between 36 and 37 weeks 6 days where routine screening is used. Your provider will discuss what happens if you pass your due date. Schedules vary between countries and providers; your own care team will tell you what applies to you.
Why pregnancy months are approximate
A 40-week pregnancy does not divide evenly into nine calendar months: each calendar month is about 4.3 weeks, so nine months is roughly 39 weeks, and the due date falls a week or so later. Different books and apps therefore group weeks into months slightly differently. This site uses the common grouping in which month 9 spans about weeks 36 to 40. When you talk to a healthcare professional, you will hear weeks and days — for example “37 weeks and 2 days” — because that is far more precise. To see exactly where you are, use the Pregnancy Week Calculator.
| Pregnancy month | Weeks pregnant (completed) | Trimester |
|---|---|---|
| Month 1 | Weeks 1–4 | First |
| Month 2 | 5 to 8 weeks | First |
| Month 3 | 9 to 13 weeks | First |
| Month 4 | 14 to 17 weeks | Second |
| Month 5 | 18 to 22 weeks | Second |
| Month 6 | 23 to 27 weeks | Second |
| Month 7 | 28 to 31 weeks | Third |
| Month 8 | 32 to 35 weeks | Third |
| Month 9 | 36 to 40 weeks | Third |